Coilovers offer a ton of advantages over regular struts and shocks. Although they work on the same principle in the case of coilovers, the strut is surrounded by a coil. This coil is mounted on a height-adjustable perch, allowing you to customize the height of your coilovers
Whether you are looking out for the Solo Werks S1 Coilover review or you still do not know the pros and cons of it — I have got you covered. This article entails everything you need to know about Solo Werks S1 Coilovers.
What Does the Whole Package Include?
The Solo Werks S1 Coilovers have remarkable build quality as they are made of galvanized steel. They also utilize gold zinc plated housing that offers significant resistance against corrosion and wears. Moreover, all the Solo Werks S1 coilovers are backed by three years of manufacturing warranty.
The whole kit includes eight unique items and below you can find the complete list of it:
- Two front threaded coilover dampers (equipped with dual lock ring spring perches)
- Two linear rate front springs
- Two rear dampers
- Two rear adjustable spring perches
- Two progressive-rate rear springs
- Two spanner wrenches
- Installation guide for step by step instructions
- One-ounce bottle of Boeshield T-9 liquid (can be for an additional protective coating)
Solo Werks S1 Coilover has a lowering range of 1.2 to 2.5 inches for the front and the lowering range for the rear side is 1.2 to 2.75 inches. You should not completely utilize this range and it is recommended to leave a few threads on the damping rod.
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Installation Cost and Time
The cost of the Solo Werks S1 Coilovers kit varies from $500 to $700. For regular cars like Volkswagen and Toyota, the starting price is only $500. Whereas, for luxury cars like BMW and Audi, the price is a little higher and can go up to $700.
The installation time of S1 Coilovers is around three to four hours. With proper tools and experience, you can also do the replacement by yourself. Otherwise, you are expected to pay $100 to $200 in terms of labor costs.
Driving Review with Solo Werks S1 Coilover
Mileage wise driving review of Solo Werks S1 Coilovers is mentioned here. Kindly note that one can have a different experience depending upon the usage, model, and condition of the car.
1,000 Miles
The newly installed coilovers feel very nice and firm, although crossing a bridge or rough terrain can still feel a little bumpy. Also, they feel a little stiffer than stock suspensions and offer less body roll.
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5,000 Miles
S1 Coilovers still ride pretty well after hitting 5k miles down the road. It may start making some noise over off-camber bumps. Also, on a rougher surface, the damping is a little less than expected, but that’s not a major problem and most of the drivers seem ok with it.
15,000 Miles
The S1 Coilovers are expected to be fully functional even after three years or 15k miles. But the ride quality can drop off significantly. By this time the shocks may lose a large amount of damping and the springs will have to take up the additional work. At higher speeds, the vehicle may also feel a little unsettled or floaty.
One can prolong the expected life of S1 Coilovers by taking proper care of them and by riding the car carefully when the route is not smooth.
Also read: 8 Best Coilovers for Daily Driving (Comfortable Ride)
Pros & Cons of Solo Werks S1 Coilover
Like any other product, Solo Werks S1 Coilover has its pros and cons. Below are the most commonly reported good and bad points of having a Solo Werks S1 Coilover.
Advantages
- Lower Cost:
As discussed earlier, Solo Werks S1 Coilover starts at only $500, which is very rear for a coilover of this build and quality. Other products of similar quality can cost as high as $1000 or even more, therefore S1 Coilover is a relatively cost-effective solution.
- Better Control:
When compared with the factory suspension system, Solo Werks S1 Coilovers provide way better handling and control. Using a custom suspension system like the S1 can help the vehicle in doing more work around the corners and result in a more thrilling and reactive driving experience.
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- Height Adjustability:
The fact that the Solo Werks S1 Coilover has a changeable height is a huge plus for drivers. It is ideal for anyone looking for a car with a “low ride.” On the other hand, a high setting is generally preferred for off-road adventures.
The S1 Coilover is also ideal for removing the fender gap and in most cases, this is the main reason for getting new suspensions. It does not matter whether you are getting larger or smaller wheels, S1 Coilover will cover the ugly fender gap.
But you should keep in mind that the height of the S1 Coilover can only be raised and lowered with a manual adjust tool i.e it does not adjust with a button, you will have to do it manually.
- Consistency:
S1 Coilovers serve as a replacement for numerous components of the suspension system. It’s possible that mixing and matching springs and shocks will cause issues. With S1 Coilovers, you’ll never have to deal with these issues. It is a single device that includes both the spring and the shock absorber, and both are made to work together in perfect harmony.
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Disadvantages
- Stiff Ride:
Some drivers have reported that the newly installed S1 Coilovers can cause a stiff or uncomfortable ride. In certain circumstances, it is because of the poor alignment and configuration of the coilovers.
Getting the job done by an inexperienced person can compromise the ride quality and even safety. Therefore, without the required tools and experience avoid doing the replacement by yourself and hire a professional mechanic for the job.
- Possible Failure under Harsh Conditions:
After 15 to 20 thousand miles, S1 Coilovers can become a major liability on the road. Especially under harsh conditions, the failure can occur even before the said mileage. To avoid this issue, do regular maintenance of your coilovers and get them replaced when needed.
- Space Issues:
In the case of hatchbacks or smaller cars, the S1 Coilovers can take more than expected space after assembly. It can interfere with parts like sway bar, tangle wiring, and cables for antilock brake systems, and even come into contact with tires, eating off the sidewall.
Therefore, you should thoroughly inspect the wheel area before attempting to fit S1 Coilovers into your car.
References:
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